Imaging apparatus having a reduced power consumption mode and mode that generates a captured image

Abstract

An imaging apparatus of the present disclosure includes an imaging unit having a plurality of operation modes including a first operation mode configured to reduce power consumption and a second operation mode that generates a captured image, and an operation mode setting section that selects one of the plurality of operation modes.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An imaging apparatus comprising:
 imaging circuitry having a plurality of operation modes including a first operation mode configured to reduce power consumption and a second operation mode that generates a captured image; 
 operation mode setting circuitry that selects one of the plurality of operation modes; 
 authentication circuitry that performs authentication processing on a basis of the captured image; and 
 communication circuitry that supplies the captured image to a first apparatus in a case where the authentication processing fails. 
 
     
     
       2. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising detection processing circuitry that performs moving object detection processing, wherein
 the first operation mode comprises an operation mode that generates a low-resolution image, 
 the detection processing circuitry performs the moving object detection processing on a basis of the low-resolution image, and 
 the operation mode setting circuitry selects the second operation mode on a basis of a processing result of the moving object detection processing. 
 
     
     
       3. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the second operation mode comprises an operation mode configured to change a first region where an imaging operation is performed, out of an imaging region of the imaging circuitry, and 
 the detection processing circuitry further sets the first region on a basis of the processing result of the moving object detection processing. 
 
     
     
       4. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the detection processing circuitry sets the first region in accordance with a position of a moving object detected by the detection processing circuitry. 
 
     
     
       5. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the operation mode setting circuitry selects the second operation mode in a case where the detection processing circuitry detects a moving object in a region other than a second region, out of an imaging region of the imaging circuitry. 
 
     
     
       6. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the operation mode setting circuitry selects the second operation mode in a case where a size of an image of a moving object detected by the detection processing circuitry is larger than a predetermined size. 
 
     
     
       7. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the operation mode setting circuitry selects the second operation mode in a case where an image of a moving object detected by the detection processing circuitry is in contact with an edge of the low-resolution image. 
 
     
     
       8. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the operation mode setting circuitry selects the second operation mode in a case where the detection processing circuitry continuously detects a moving object for a predetermined period of time or longer. 
 
     
     
       9. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor that performs moving object detection, wherein
 the first operation mode comprises an operation mode that stops an imaging operation, and 
 the operation mode setting circuitry selects the second operation mode on a basis of a result of the detection performed by the sensor. 
 
     
     
       10. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a switch that accepts an operation of a user, wherein
 the operation mode setting circuitry selects the second operation mode on a basis of an instruction from the switch. 
 
     
     
       11. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the captured image includes a facial image. 
 
     
     
       12. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising authentication information generation circuitry that generates authentication information to be used when the authentication circuitry performs the authentication processing. 
     
     
       13. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the authentication information generation circuitry generates the authentication information on a basis of an image captured by the imaging circuitry. 
 
     
     
       14. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising communication circuitry that receives authentication information supplied from a second apparatus, wherein
 the authentication circuitry performs the authentication processing on a basis of the captured image using the authentication information. 
 
     
     
       15. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising communication circuitry that supplies the captured image to a third apparatus that performs authentication processing on a basis of the captured image, wherein
 the captured image includes a facial image. 
 
     
     
       16. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the communication circuitry further receives a processing result of the authentication processing supplied from the third apparatus. 
     
     
       17. A vehicle monitoring system comprising:
 a vehicle including an imaging apparatus; and 
 a server, 
 the imaging apparatus including
 imaging circuitry having a plurality of operation modes including a first operation mode configured to reduce power consumption and a second operation mode that generates a captured image, 
 operation mode setting circuitry that selects one of the plurality of operation modes, and 
 communication circuitry configured to supply the captured image to the server, 
 
 wherein
 the imaging apparatus further includes an authentication circuitry, 
 the captured image includes a facial image, 
 the authentication circuitry performs authentication processing on a basis of the captured image, and 
 the communication circuitry supplies the captured image to the server in a case where the authentication processing fails. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The vehicle monitoring system according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the captured image includes a facial image, 
 the server performs authentication processing on a basis of the captured image, and 
 the communication circuitry supplies the captured image to the server and receives a processing result of the authentication processing. 
 
     
     
       19. The vehicle monitoring system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a mobile terminal, wherein
 the server supplies the captured image to the mobile terminal in a case where the authentication processing fails.